HISTORY    OF 


DANIEL'S  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  k  REFORMED  CHURCHES 


LINCOLN  CO.,  N.  C, 


C/ftZtK)    | \\\Z02  rU7i 


WRITTEN  BY 


NIXON 


c<Xj  ZCK  [J  J]  j|  UK>  c*50 


A.   L.   CROUSE  &  SON, 

Book  &  Job  Printers;    Hickory,  N.  C. 

1898. 


DANIELS  REFORMED  CHURCH. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2013 


http://archive.org/details/historyofdanielsOOnixo 


DANIELS  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  CHUfeCH 


■lo9 


HISTORY    OF 


DANIEL'S  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  k  REFORMED  CHURCHES 


LINCOLN  CO.,  N.  C 

WRITTEN  BY 
A.     NIXON. 

G0bQ09||||l|cpOC0: 


A.   L.   CROUSE  &  SON, 
Book  &  Job  Printers;    Hickory,  N.  C 

i 


HISTORY  OF 

DANIEL'S  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  k  REFORMED  CHURCHES 

LINCOLN  CO.,  N.  C. 

These  churches  stand  on  the  oldest  spot  jf  ground  in 
the  county  of  Lincoln  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  Al- 
mighty God  and  the  cause  of  education,  and  perhaps 
the  oldest  in  the  state  west  of  the  great  Catawba.  The 
voice  came  from  Horeb's  mount,  "put  off  thy  shoes 
from  off  thy  feet  for  the  place  whereon  thou  standest  is 
holy  ground."  That  place  was  for  the  moment  sacred 
from  the  visible  manifestation  of  the  presence  of  God. 
How  hallowed  then  this  spot  on  which  reverential  gen- 
erations in  a  continuous  stream  from  the  time  the  Dutch 
pioneers  entered  this  beautiful  country  even  down  to 
the  present  have  met  and  communed  with  the  Father, 

I  shall  frequently  refer  to  the  people  of  this  community 
as  the  "Dutch."  The  greater  part  of  the  earner  settlers 
were  Germans  from  the  Palatinate  in  Southern  Germany; 
some  of  their  names  indicate  a  Swiss  and  French  Hugue- 
not extraction;  there  were  but  few  families  of  other  nation- 
alities. The  term  Dutch  is  generally  understood  to  apply 
to  Hollanders,  yet  these  people  called  themselves  Dutch, 
and  their  language  Dutch  and  sc  they  have  been  called  to 
this  day,  both  by  themselves  and  others.  Some  of  the 
marked  characteristics  of  the  Dutch,  are  thrift,  economy, 


N 


4      HISTORY  OF  DANIEL'S  LUTH    &  REFORMED  CHURCHES. 

independence,  frankness,  simplicity,  uprightness,  con- 
servatism  and  love  of  liberty,  home,  country,  and  the 
Christian  religion.  The  Dutch  stand  high  in  the  esteem 
of  their  neighbors.  They  speak  of  going  among  the 
Dutch  when  they  wish  to  purchase  the  finest  wheat, 
corn  and  other  products  of  the  farm;  they  also  delight  to 
speak  of  Dutch  hospitality  and  the  downy  beds  and 
heavily  laden  tables  prepared  by  the  good  housewives. 

The  various    causes  inducing    the  German  settlers   of 
America  to  leave  their  homes  in  the  Vaterland  and  seek 
an  abode  in  the  new    world    beyond  the  wide    Atlantic, 
such  as  the  desire  to  better  their  condition,  secure  lands, 
the   spirit    of  adventure,     political  persecution  and    the 
freedom  to   worship  God    furnish   a  fruitful    field  of    in- 
quiry which  I  must  pass  by.     Ask  the  old  German,  as  I 
have  frequently  done,   whence    came  his  ancestors,    and 
he  will  sometimes  say,  "from  across   the  water,"  but   in 
nearly  every  case  the  answer  will  be,    "from  Pennsylvan- 
ia. "     So  your  ancestors  came    here    from    Pennsylvania 
and  not  direct  from    Germany.     The  cause  of  their   mi- 
gration from  Pennsylvania  was  the    difficulty  in   obtain- 
ing land.     At  that  early  period  no  one  ventured  to  cross 
the  Alleghany  mountains  for  the  purpose  of  settling,  so 
the  seekers   after    new   homes    came    southward.     The 
German  pioneers  landed  here    about  the   year  1750   and 
as  the  news  of  cheap    lands,  a  fertile    soil  and    healthful 
clime  was  wafted  back  others  followed,  and  they  contin- 
ued to    come  until    the    American    Revolution.     Right 
here  I  wish  to  ask  who  they  were.     To  answer  would  be 
to  call  the  names   of    Daniel    Warlick,     Peter    Hafner, 
Frederick  Wise,  George  Kuhn,  Derrick  Ramsaur,   Dan- 
iel Seagle,  George    Lohr,     Thomas    Hoover,     Christian 
Reinhardt,  Jacob  Sain  and  so  on    through    the    list    of 


HISTORY  OF  DANIEL'S  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES,      5 
I 

Dutch  names  constituting  your  Church  rolls  to-day. 
While  many  of  their  descendants  followed  the  course  of 
empire  when  it  took  its  westward  sweep  there  has  been 
no  influx  of  new  names.  Fond  of  home  and  its  comforts 
these  people  have  been  slow  to  leave  the  place  once  se- 
cured as  their  own.  I  could  mention  many  farms  that 
have  never  passed  out  of  the  family,  being  still  held  by 
virtue  of  the  grant  made  in  colonial  times.  These  pio- 
neers were  indeed  strangers  in  a  strange  land.  They 
were  in  a  new  and  untried  climate,  'midst  the  savage 
Cherokees  and  the  wild  animals  with  no  place  for  shel- 
ter or  protection  until  the  log  cabin  and  rude  fort  were 
erected  by  their  own  industry.  And  whether  at  home 
or  in  the  field  the  trusty  rifle  was  always  in  reach  ready 
for  any  sudden  attack.  You,  indeed,  dwell  in  the  land 
of  your  fathers?  Many  of  you  live  on  the  old  home- 
stead and  pluck  the  fruit  from  trees  planted  by  a  father's 
hand.  The  forests  and  fields  in  which  you  rambled  in 
"boyhood  in  search  of  the  chestnut,  muscadine,  wild 
grape  and  haw,  and  the  streams  in  which  you  fished  and 
bathed  are  now  your  own. 

But  it  is  my  pleasing  duty  to  speak  of  this  one  historic 
plat  of  ground — the  heart  and  center  of  this  community, 
around  which  cluster  your  best  thoughts,  tenderest  emo- 
tions and  fondest  recollections;  where  the  children  for 
generation  after  generation  have  been  tenderly  dedicat- 
ed to  the  Father,  their  youthful  minds  trained  and  stored 
with  useful  learning,  and  their  footsteps  directed  in  the 
paths  of  virtue  and  religion, — and  in  whose  soil  life's 
journey  ended  their  mortal  remains  are  laid  to  rest. 

This  tract  of  ground  containing  "fifty  acres"  was  grant- 
ed by  George  the  Third  to  Matthew  Floyd,  October  26, 
1767,  and  is  described  in  the  grant  as  follows:    "On  the 


6       HISTORY  OF  DANIEL'S  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES. 

waters  of  the  South  Fork  of  Catawba  river  joining  Peter 
Statler  and  Jonathan  Potts  lines  including  a  school 
house,  Beginning  at  a  small  post  oak  in  a  savannah  in 
Potts'sline  thence  N.  26  west  90  poles  to  a  hickory  and 
white  oak  saplings ;  thence  north  70  east  1 00  poles  to  a  post 
oak  above  a  spring;  thence  south' "20  east  90  poles  to  a 
black  oak  in  Statler's  line;  thence  with  said  line  south 
70  west  90  poles  to  the  beginning." 

It  was  characteristic  of  the  German  settlers  as  soon  as 
the  log  cabin  was  erected  and  a  few  acres  cleared  to  build 
a  school  house  in  some  convenient  place  that  also  served 
as  a  house  of  worship.  Lying  in  almost  a  square  this 
must  have  been  laid  off  and  set  apart  by  the  pioneers 
for  school  and  religious  purposes. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  description  there' was  a 
school  house  on  it  when  Floyd  obtained  his  grant,  A 
few  months  later  the  citizens  of  the  neighborhood  pur- 
chased the  tract  from  Floyd.  In  consideration  of  ten 
pounds  July  15,  1768  he  conveyed  the  same  to  Nicholas 
Warlick,  Frederick  Wise,  Urban  Ashebanner,  Peter 
Statler,  Peter  Summey,  and  Peter  Hafner.  They  con- 
veyed it  January  9,  1774,  "to  the  two  united  congrega- 
tions of  Lutherans  and  Calvinists."  There  have  been 
some  additions  to  the  original  tract  which  now  contains, 
according  to  recent  surveys,  sixty  seven  acres.  A  good 
farm  was  cleared,  a  farm  house  erected,  and  the  cultiva- 
tion carefully  looked  after  by  trustees  of  each  congrega- 
tion, and  the  rents  have  been  a  source  of  much  revenue 
to  the  churches. 

To  allay  certain  contentions  that  had  arisen  as  to  who 
might  be  entitled  to  share  the  use  of  the  property  Ceph- 
as Quickel  and  David  W,  Ramsour,  December  29,  1862, 
again  entered  the  Daniel's  church  land.       Their  grant 


HISTORY  OF  DANIEL'S  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES.       7 

attested  by  Z.  B.  Vance,  Governor,  bears  date  January 
20,  1863.  Quickel  and  Ramsour  25th  July,  1863,  con- 
veyed the  same  "to  George  Coon,  Jacob  Kistler,  Maxwell 
Warlick,  Jacob  Lantz,  Daniel  Seagle,  and  George  S. 
Ramsour,  Trustees  of  Daniel's  Evangelical  Lutheran 
and  Reformed  Churches." 

The  original  grant  and  the  deed  10  the  church  with 
signatures  of  the  grantors  in  German  have  been  care- 
fully preserved.  At  this  time  there  were  but  few  people 
here.  Your  history  began  in  the  days  of  George  II 
when  this  was  Anson  county;  in  1762  it  was  changed  to 
Mecklenburg;  1768  Tryon  and  since  1779  Lincoln.  This 
would  seem  to  have  been  a  long  time  ago,  but  after  all 
it  is  only  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  — the  life 
span  of  two  of  the  stout  old  German  fathers. 

These  Germans  were  a  religious  people.  One  branch 
were  followers  of  the  illustrious  Saxon  Reformer,  Martin 
Luther,  the  central  figure  of  the  Reformation;  a  grand 
old  man,  who  threw  down  his  gauntlet  and  joined  issue 
with  popes  and  cardinals  and  the  crowned  heads  of  Eu- 
rope. His  fame  belongs  to  all  mankind.  For  the  ori- 
gin of  the  other  branch,  the  German  Reformed,  we  must 
look  to  Ulrick  Zwingle  in  the  mountains  of  Switzerland 
to  whom  belongs  the  immortal  honor  of  sounding  the 
trumpet  blast  of  the  Reformation.  As  the  Alps  of  his 
native  land  tower  among  the  highest  mountains  so  will 
Zwingle  ever  remain  a  great  and  towering  personality 
in  an  age  of  spiritual  and  theological  heroes.  They  are 
denominated  in  this  deed  "Calvinists"  for  the  reason 
that  the  great  reformer  of  Geneva,  John  Calvin,  per- 
fected the  reformation  that  was  begun  in  Switzerland  by 
Zwingle.  They  were  some  times  called  "Dutch  Presby- 
terians," but  since  1869,  simply  "Reformed." 


8       HISTORY  OF  DANIEL'S  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES. 

These  pioneers  brought  with  them  the  Bible.  No 
dust  was  allowed  to  gather  on  this  precious  volume.  It 
is  worthy  of  note  that  most  of  their  Christian  r.ames 
were  selected  from  its  pages.  Beginning  with  Adam, 
then  follow  Daniel,  Samuel,  Abraham,  Jacob,  David, 
and  the  other  prophets  and  patriarchs  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment; and  Peter,  Andrew,  John,  Phillip,  Paul  a^.d  soon 
through -the  list  of  apostles  and  New  Testament  saints. 
The  principal  exceptions  are  George,  Henry  and  .Fred- 
erick, selections  from  their  kings  and  a  favorite-, name  of 
later  days i  Martin  Luther,  These  Bibles  have  been 
handed. down  from  .generation  to  generation  and  are 
found  in  ma,ny  homes  to-day.  They  contain  the  family 
record  pi  births,  marriages,  and  deaths.  Their-  sacred 
pages  are  printed  in  a  language  now  considered  foreign, 
yet  these  volumes  are  justly  held  and  esteemed  precious 
heir-loonu.  ._.-,', 

In  the  year  1817  a  union  hymn-book  called  the  Gc- 
meinschaftliehe  GesangbucJi,  intended  for  the  joint  use  of 
Lutheran  and  Reformed  churches,  was  introduced  and 
approved  by  all  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  churches 
in  the  United  States,  thus  binding  these  churches  more 
closely  together. 

As  to  who  were  the  teachers  and  preachers  of  this  ear- 
ly period  v/e  have  little  information.  The  first  Luther- 
an preacher  we  can  speak  of  with  certainty  in  Lincoln 
County  is  Rev.  Johann  Gottfried  Arndt.  He  came  from 
Germany  to  N.  C.  as  a  school  teacher  in  1773,  and  was 
ordained  to  the  ministry  in  1775. 

Rev,  Arndt's  labors  were  chiefly  confined  to  Rowan 
county  until  after  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war, 
when  in  1786  he  removed  to  Lincoln  County  and  became 
the  acknowledged  founder  of  the  Lutheran  church  west 


HIST    RY  OF  DAMKI/S  LUTil.   cS^  REFORMED  CHURCHES.  9 


of  the  Catawba  river. 

In  a  report  to  a  Virginia  Conference  in  1806  Rev. 
Paul  Henkel  says:  "In  Lincoln  county  there  are  eight 
or  nine  congregations,  several  of  which  are  qui*"e  large. 
All  these  have  erected  joint  houses  of- worship.  The 
Lutheran  congregations  were  served  by  Rev.  Gottfried 
Arndt  for  twenty  years.  Before  that  time  ne  had  la- 
bored in  the  vicinity  of  Salisbury  and  even  at  tnat  time  he 
had  often  traveled  among  these  churches,  and  performed 
official  duties  as  far  as  his  circumstances  would  permit.' 
The  Rev.  Arndt  died  Jily  9.  1807,  ajed  (alter)  "66 
jahr,  6  tnonath  un  28  tag,"  and  was  buried  beneath  the 
old  '  Dutch  meeting  house"  in  Lincolnton.  The  in- 
scription on  his  tombstone  is  in  German,  above  it  an 
eagle  and  thirteen  stars,  and  the  motto  of  .the  new  re- 
public "E  pluribus  unum."  This  venerable  minister 
has  left  a  reputation  for  piety,  humility,  and  zeal,  o: 
which  his  worthy  descendants  may  well  feel  proud. 
"WoM  seliger  W3r  stirbt  wie  du, 
Der  ko'mmt  zur  ewgen  Himmel  ruh." 
So  far  as  I  can  learn  the  first  Reformed  pastor  was 
Revl  Andrew  Loretz,  a  native  of  Switzerland  He  came 
about  the  same  time  of  Mr.  Arndt  and  discharged  the 
duties  of  his  sacred  office  until  death.  He  built  the  Fox 
residence  a  few  hundred  yards  to  the  south  on  the  plan- 
tation adjoining  the  church  land.  On  this  building  to- 
day are  the  initials  of  his  name  and  the  date  of  its  erec- 
tion, "A.  L.  1793."  Only  the  German  was  uced  during 
their  entire  pastorates.  Rev.  Loretz  died  March  31, 
1 812,  aged  fifty  years  and  is  buried  in  the  church-yard 
here.  He  was  a  man  of  remarkable  energy,  great  en- 
durance, and  zealous  in  the  performance  of  duty  ;  a 
preacher  whose  sermons  were  strong  in  thought,  chaste 


IO  HISTORY  OF  DANIELS  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES. 

and  beautiful  in  language  and  impressive  in  delivery;  a 
pastor,  kind  sympathetic  and  attentive  to  whom  his 
people  were  greatly  attached. 

While  there  were  other  preachers  here  before  Arndt 
and  Loretz,  some  of  whose  names  have  been  preserved, 
these  venerable  men  of  God  are  the  recognized  founders 
and  organizers  of  their  respective  churches  in  all  this 
section  of  country.  Living  in  the  same  county  and 
preaching  in  the  same  churches  they  were  often  thrown 
in  each  others  society  and  so  became  fast  and  true  friends, 
and  even  arranged  that  whichever  died  first  should  be 
buried  by  the  survivor. 

The  first  entry  in  the  oldest  Lutheran  record  in  my 
hands  is  the  following: 

"Georg  Kuun  und  desen  frau  ihr  sohn  Georg  gebohr- 
en  den  31  ten  December  1809;  Taufzeugen  sind  Johan- 
nes Rudisill  und  desen  frau.'' 

This  in  English  reads:  "George  Coon  and  his  wife. 
Their  son  George  was  born  the  31st  December,  1809. 
Sponsors  are  John  Rudisill  and  his  wife," 

I  do  not  find  a  regular  list  of  the  members  for  nearly 
a  half  century  after  this  but  from  the  records  of  baptisms 
and  communicants  of  this  date  and  shortly  after  I  take  it 
the  following  families  were  Lutherans :  Petour  Heil 
Henrick  Bangel,  Johannes  Siegel,  Daniel  Lutz,  Fried - 
rick  Hok,  Abraham  Hafner,  Jacob  Plonk,  Johannes 
Rudisill,  Peter  Plonk,  Jacob  Kistler,  Eli  Blackbourne, 
Philip  Lehnhart,  Petour  Hauser,  Peter  Sehn,  Heinrich 
Lanz,  Petour  Michel,  Jacob  Aderholt,  Paulus  Hartzog, 
George  Lohr,  Jacob  Huber,  Daniel  Gross,  George  Kuhn, 
Samuel  Jared,  Jacob  Propst,  Petour  Weiand,  Henrick 
Weis,  Michael  Mosteller,  Jonas  Rein,  John  Jund,  Chris- 
tian Kneip,   Daniel  Stricken    Michael  Sheirman,    John 


HISTORY  OF  DANIELS  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES,   II 


Sigman,  John  Stamey,  John  Ramsaur,  also  members  of 
the  following  families:  Spiegel,  Scheidel,  Sebach.  Boling- 
er,  Crouse,  Halmann,  Weckesser,  Klee,  Schuford,  Kil- 
lian,  Klein,  Seitz,  Kizer,  Dietz,  Miller,  Breugel,  Zim- 
merman, Heltebrand,  Jonas,  Wetzstein,  Reinhardt,  and 
others. 

The  earliest  record  of  the  Reformed  church  that  I 
have  seen  is  a  list  of  the  communicants  October  14, 
1832.  This  is  in  English.  In  this  list  and  the  next  of 
April  14,  1833  when  there  were  74  communicants  I  find 
the  following  names:  Samuel  Lantz,  Daniel  Loretz, 
Adam  Reep,  John  Lingerfeldt,  John  Ramsour,  Michael 
Summerrow,  John  Lantz,  Philip  Shuford,  George  Stutt, 
George  Cutty,  Solomon  Warlick,  MaxwTell  Warlick, 
Adolph  Reep,  Jacob  Summerrow,  Jacob  Ramsour, 
Daniel  Hedick,  Solomon  Ramsour,  Joseph  Reinhardt, 
Daniel  Ramsour,  Daniel  Hoke,  James  Kistler,  John 
Coulter,  John  Houser,  Catherine  Moretz,  John  Hass, 
Michael  Finger,  John  Carpenter,  George  Rinck,  David 
Bennick,  Andrew  Ramsour,  Anthony,  Bierd,  Clay,  and 
others. 

The  N.  C.  Synod  was  organized  at  Salisbury  May  2, 
1803.  Its  second  session  was  held  in  the  "old  white 
church"  in  Lincolnton  Oct.  17,  1803  when  a  constitution 
was  adopted.  The  last  meeting  of  the  N.  C.  Synod  in 
the  "old  white  church"  was  held  May  the  28,  1820.  This 
was  an  historic  session.  Then  occured  the  first  rupture 
in  the  Lutheran  church  in  America.  The  president 
maintained  his  position  in  a  long  discourse  in  the  Ger- 
man ;  the  secretary  followed  in  a  longer  one  in  the  Eng- 
lish. This  church  with  others  withdrew  and  July  17th 
following  organized  the  Tennessee  Synod.  At  its  first 
meeting  the  German  was  made  the  business  language  of 


12  HISTORY  OF  DANIELS  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES. 

the  Synod  and  all  its  transactions  were  to  be  "published 
in  the  German  language."  In  1825  the  minutes  were 
published  in  both  German  and  English.  In  1826  David 
Henkel  was  appointed  interpreter  for  the  members  who 
did  not  understand  the  German  language  and  it  was  or- 
dered "that  the  business  of  Synod  shall  be  transacted  in 
the  German  language  during  the  first  three  days,  after- 
wards the  English  shall  be  used." 

The  pioneers  remained  in  Pennsylvania  long  enough 
to  acquire  that  combination  of  tongue  popularly  known 
as  the  "Pennsylvanische-Deutch,"  They  passed  through 
no  more  trying  ordeal  than  the  change  from  this  to 
English.  While  the  change  was  gradual  it  was  perhaps 
most  marked  from  1820  to  1830.  The  records  of  this 
church  were  kept  in  German  until  1827.  The  foregoing 
quotations  show  the  trouble  it  gave  the  church.  But 
perhaps  the  greatest  hindrance  was  in  the  state.  The 
laws  were  written  and  expounded  in  English  and  all 
public  affairs  conducted  in  that  language,  and  this  pre- 
vented their  taking  an  active  part  in  public  affairs.  They 
were  loathe  to  make  the  change  and  always  retained  a 
fond  affection  for  their  mother  tongue.  The  English 
gradually  came  into  use  and  now  the  ' '  Pennsylvania- 
Dutch  "  familiar  to  the  elders  as  in  childhood  is  no 
longer  heard  except  occasionally  an  aged  person  can  be 
found  who  can  be  induced  to  talk  "Dutch"  or  sing  the 
Dutch  songs  for  the  amusement  of  young ;  but  the 
accent  and  idiom  still  linger  on  many  tongues.  I  well 
remember  the  first  time  I  came  among  the  Dutch  was  as 
a  surveyor.  One  farmer  requested  me  to  'wey  a  small 
tract  that  lay  in  a  wee  (V),  and  I  sometimes  yet  assist  in 
widing  land. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  last  century  the  names  of 


HISTORY  OF  DANIELS  LU1H.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES.    I  3 

German  citizens  begin  to  appear  more  frequently  in  a 
publ1'c  capacity.  In  the  year  1797  John  Ramsaur,  an 
elder  of  this  church  represented  Lincoln  county  in  the 
House  of  Commons  and  twice  afterward.  In  1802  Peter 
Hoyle  another  elder  who  lived  in  sight  of  this  church 
was  elected  to  the  House,  and  thirteen  times  afterward, 
and  once  to  the  Senate — fifteen  times  in  all,  a  long  and 
honorable  service.  Andrew  H.  Loretz  was  three  times 
a  member  of  the  House.  Among  other  German  repre 
sentatives  of  ''ye  olden  time"  from  this  community  are 
the  Hopes,  Reinhardts,  Killian,  Shuford  and  Cansler. 

Tne  school-house  was  long  used  as  a  place  of  public 
worship.  This  was  known  as  the  "School  House 
church"  until  1830  when  the  name  was  changed  to  Dan- 
iel's. Some  of  the  records  have  it  St,  Daniel's,  The 
first  church  was  erected  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev. 
Loretz.  I  cannot  tell  when  the  congregations  were  first 
regularly  organized.  The  old  log  school-house,  then  a 
framed  church,  were  to  these  people  almost  what  the 
magnificent  temple  of  Solomon  was  to  the  Jews.  They 
came  great  distances  and,  long  before  the  hour  of  ser- 
vice, collected  in  groups  under  the  shadow  of  the  oaks 
and  engaged  in  pleasant  conversation.  An  elder  re- 
members when  the  preacher  ascended  the  pulpit  an  old 
father  would  go  to  the  door  and  proclaim;  "All  de  beo- 
bles  will  now  come  in- — de  breaching  is  ready." 

I  wish  to  emphasize  the  fact  that  the  Dutch  forefath- 
ers laid  the  foundation  of  your  characters  deep  and 
strong  on  the  rock-bottom  principles  of  religion  and 
education.  This  tract  of  land  was  conveyed  to  the  "two 
united  congregations  of  Lutherans  and  Calvinist  Presby- 
terians for  the  use  of  a  church  meeting  house,  school 
house  and  other  buildings,  for  the  promotion  of  religion 


14    HISTORY  OF  DANIELS  LUTII.  &  REFORMED    CHURCHES. 

and  learning.  "The  deed  for  the  old  '  Dutch-meeting- 
house' lot  in  Lincolnton  made  to  the  'Dutch  Lutherans 
and  Dutch  Presbyterians'  was  for  the  'intent  and  pur- 
pose of  building  thereon  a  meeting  house  for  public 
worship,  school  houses  both  Dutch  and  English  and  a 
place  for  the  burial  of  the  dead'."  The  deed  to  Salem 
was  for  the  purpose  of  '  'encouraging  schools  and  a  place 
for  public  worship." 

It  is  your  privilege  however  in  this  age  of  the  printing- 
press  and  multifold  institutions  of  learning  to  enjoy  ad- 
vantages out  of  their  reach.  They  were  content  with 
reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic.  The  writing  was  in- 
variably legible,  but  much  liberty  in  spelling  allowed. 
Members  of  the  same  family  would  spell  their  names  in 
different  ways.  Take  Cansler,  for  instance,  perhaps  an 
extreme  case,  but  I  have  seen  it  spelled  more  than  a  dozen 
different  ways,  varying  from  Gantzler,  Kentsler,  Cansel- 
lar,  down  to  the  present  usage.  Uniform  spelling  came 
in  with  Webster's  "Blue-back;"  and,  like  parting  from 
an  old  friend,  we  have  lately  seen  it  laid  aside. 

The  many  signs  and  folk  lore  of  this  community 
would  form  an  interesting  chapter.  The  Dutch  farmer 
is  a  close  observer  and  often  governed  by  signs.  The 
moon  was  once  an  all-powerful  potentate  and  seemed  to 
rule  everything.  Even  yet  his  phases  are  closely 
watched  and  there  is  a  time  to  plant  every  seed.  Veg- 
etables which  grow  under  the  ground  as  turnips  and 
radishes  must  be  planted  in  the  dark  of  the  moon  ;  those 
that  grow  on  top,  in  the  light  of  the  moon.  Plant  corn 
in  the  ''little  moon"  for  low  stalks  and  heavy  ears.  Cut 
wood  in  the  light  of  the  moon  for  it  to  season  well;  and, 
put  the  roof  on  a  building  when  the  little  moon  hangs 
down  so  the  shingles  won't  turn  up.     I  knew  a  champion 


history  of  Daniel's  luih.  &  reformed  churches,  15 

turnip-seed    sower    who    used   an   incantation  in   which 
there  was  a  special  virtue.      He  would  sow 

"Some  for  de  bug, 

Some  for  de  fly. 

Some  for  de  debil 

And  in  comes  I." 
There  are  also  many  signs  of  gocd  and  ill  omen, 
merely  supeistitious,  but  likely  to  remain.  Taught  in 
childhood  that  to  see  the  new  moon  through  the  tree 
tops,  a  rabbit  cross  the  road  in  front  of  you,  to  turn 
back  when  starring  on  a  journey,  and  many  others  por- 
tended bad  luck;  while  to  see  the  new  moon  clear,  a 
squirrel  cross  the  road  in  front  of  you,  to  find  a  horse- 
shoe, etc,  were  signs  of  good  luck,  the  sensations  remain 
through  mature  years.  I  will  walk  some  distance  now 
to  see  the  new  moon  in  the  clear.  Friday  is  an  unlucky 
day.  Witches  are  no  longer  feared,  but  are  sometimes 
said  to  leave  evidence  of  their  existence.  If  the  horse's 
mane  is  found  knotted  into  stirrups  in  the  morning,  he 
was  ridden  by  witches  the  right  before. 

Your  lots  have  indeed  been  cast  in  a  goodly  country, 
and  the  lines  have  fallen  to  you  in  pleasant  places.  It 
speaks  well  for  the  judgment  and  wTisdom  of  your  an- 
cestors that  they  selectei  and  secured  much  of  the  finest 
lands.  1 1  speaks  well  for  you  that  the  same  lands  are 
to-day  maintained  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  A 
glance  at  your  splendid  forests  of  hickory  and  oak  with 
scarcely  a  pine  to  be  seen  indicates  a  strong  and  fertile 
soil.  A  glance  at  your  valleys  black  with  growing  corn 
and  great  fields  swaying  with  golden  harvests  proves 
that  you  are  good  farmers. 

The  people  of  this  community  belong  to  the  great 
toiling  masses  of  the  middle  classes.      They  have  been  in 


16  history  of  danikl's  lutii.  &  reformed  churches. 

dustricus,  law-abiding,  God-fearing  people  where  labor 
has  been  dignified  and  honorable.  Their  wants  were 
few;  they  bought  little  and  sold  much;  they  made  no 
debts  or  contracts  they  did  not  expect  to  pay  or  execute, 
and  as  a  consequence  they  have  been  a  gallant,  brave, 
independent  and  public  spirited  community.  No  o".e 
has  ever  become  very  rich  and  the  very  pool  is  a  rare  ex- 
ception. The  young  have  been  trained  arid  skilled  in  every 
ordinary  labor  and  handicraft,  but  farming  has  always 
been  the  principal  occupation.  This  was  the  original 
and  natural  employment  of  our  race  and  to-day  stands 
foremost  among  all  the  pursuits  of  man.  It  is  in  fact 
the  foundation  of  all  others.  In  the  expressive  lan- 
guange  of  an  old  adage,  "It  makes  all,  pays  all,  supports 
all."  The  poet  described  one  of  the  Dutch  fathers  when 
he  wrote: 

A  simple,  godly  man  he  lived  and  died, 
His  fields  to  work  he  went  at  early  morn, 
At  eve  returned  to  rest  and  breathe  toil  worn 
The  sweet  fresh  air  with  lips  that  never  lied; 
And  lived  unknown  to  fame's  brass  blatant  horn, 
His  care  the  gentle  Savior,  crowned  with  thorn 
To  glorify,  and  wished  for  none  beside. ". 
In  their  quiet  homes  was  no  pomp,  fashion  or  extrav- 
agant luxury,  but  comfort,  refinement  and  culture.      In 
the  pure  atmosphere  of  this  proud  section  that  developed 
trie  hardy  elements  of  honesty,  simplicity,  and  integrity 
of  character,  principles  that  endure  when  the  glare  and 
deception  of  the  world's  refinement  fade. 

But  I  must  tell  you  the   Pennsylvania  Dutchman  ha ; 
his  humorous  side,  for 

A  little  nonsense  now  and  then 
Is  relished  by  the  best  of  men. 


HISTORY  OF  DANIELS  LUTH,  &  REFORMED  CHUXCHES*     \J 

They  had  their  sports  and  amusements,  their  holidays 
and  gala  days,  their  Easter  fun  and  Kris  Kringle  frolics. 
Many  of  their  sports  and  amusements  partook  more  of 
skill  and  labor  than  dissipation  and  debauchery,  such  as 
quiltings,  spinning  matches,  corn-shuckings,  choppings, 
log-rollings,  house  raisings  and  the  like  tending  to  man- 
ly vigor  and  modest  woman-hood  and  brightening  the 
links  of  friendship  and  brotherly  love. 

The  Dutch  fathers  were  expert  riflemen.  They  be- 
came so  by  hunting  bears  and  deer,  wild  turkey  and 
squirrels,  and  other  game  so  numerous  as  to  threaten 
the  existence  of  food  crops.  In  the  fall  of  the  year 
shooting  matches  were  common,  the  prize  usually  being 
a  quater  of  beef  or  a  turkey.  A  witness  in  our  court 
once  being  asked  when  a  certain  transaction  took  place, 
promptly  replied  ' 'at  shooting-match   time." 

They  were  great  fanciers  of  fine  stock,  and  the  old 
Dutch  farmer  never  felt  more  lordly  than  when  hauling 
great  loads  with  his  sleek  team  of  horses.  The  race 
path  also  had  its  deovtees.  On  the  hill  one  mile  west 
of  Daniel's  was  the  "Warlick  path."  Here  they  would 
test  the  speed  of  their  horses  and  back  their  favorites 
with  sums  of  money.  One  of  the  few  cases  of  discipline 
in  this  church  that  has  come  to  my  attention  was  the 
arraignm  ent  of  two  prominent  Germans  for  engaging  in 
a  noted  race.  Mr.  H.  who  had  lost  was  first  brought 
to  the  bar.  He  was  in  a  penitent  frame  of  mind  and 
expressed  proper  contrition.  Mr,  M.  was  incorrigible. 
Proud  of  his  horse,  the  stakes  and  exulting  in  the 
plaudits  of  the  community  he  promptly  answered,  "I  am 
not  sorry  I  von,  Mr.  H    werry  sorry  he  lost." 

In  the  "good  old  times,"  the  distillery  was  one  of  the 
necessary  adjuncts    of   the    farm,     A    pioneer    German 


1 8  history  of  daniel's  lutii.  &  reformed  churches. 

with  several  sons  and  mucfr  property  bequeaths  to  a 
single  daughter  his  "two  stills  and  all  the  still  vessels/' 
Another  affectionately  remembers  his  loved  ones  in  the 
last  item  of  his  will  as  follows,  "I  leave  the  still  for  the 
benefit  of  the  family  while  my  wife  keeps  house  with 
the  children."  The  elders  well  remember  when  there 
were  no  "'revenues,"  distilleries  common,  and  liquor 
twenty-five  cents  per  gallon.  The  fiery  fluid  which 
they  drank  for  health,  happiness  and  long  life  was  in- 
dispensable at  the  domestic  board  and  a  "tram"  was  the 
symbol  of  hospitality.  Distilling  however  was  not  con- 
fined to  any  particular  section  or  nationality  and  sad  to 
relate  the  use  of  the  beverage  not  entirely  confined  to 
the  laity.  A  blow  was  given  this  industry  when  the 
classis  of  N.  C.  in  1858  adopted  the  following  resolution 
offered  by  Rev.  D.  Crooks,  pastor  of  this  church:  "Re- 
solved that  the  making  or  distillation  for  indiscriminate 
sale  of  intoxicating  liquors,  its  use  as  a  beverage,  the 
practice  of  giving  it  to  hands  invited  to  log-rollings, 
huskings,  raisings,  etc.,  is  immoral  in  its  tendency,  and 
justifies  the  exercise  of  discipline." 

In  the  olden  time  the  county  was  divided  into  militia 
districts.  The  muster  ground  of  this  section  was  at  Sha- 
dy Grove.  In  looking  over  a  copy  of  the  Lincoln  Cour- 
ier of  1850  I  find  this  notice  to  Oapt,  Lenhardt's  Com- 
pany: "You  are  hereby  commanded  to  be  and  appear 
at  your  company  muster  ground  on  Saturday  October 
26th  armed  and  equipped  as  the  law  directs  for  drill  and 
exercise.  Court  martial  immediately  after  the  parade. 
J.  F,  Leonhardt,  Captain."  Could  this  old  muster 
ground  divulge  its  history  the  present  generation  would 
be  thrilled  with  its  recital. 

One  of  the  noted  pioneers  and  patriarchs  of  this  sec- 


HISTORY  OF  DANIELS  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES,   19 

tion  was  Daniel  Warlick.  He  was  among  the  first  band 
of  Caucasians  that  crossed  the  South  Fork  river.  He 
laid  numerous  entries,  taking  up  in  all  nearly  three 
thousand  acres  of  land  along  Howard's  and  Clarke's 
creeks  and  the  South  Fork  river.  The  oldest  enterprise 
in  the  county  to-day  is  the  mill  he  established  one  mile 
west  of  here,  the  first  in  this  section.  As  an  evidence 
of  its  early  establishment  it  was  once  burned  by 
the  Cherokee  Indians.  This  property  has  passed  down 
from  father  to  son  and  is  to-day  owned  and  operated  by 
Jacob  Warlick,  a  grsat-great-grand  son  of  the  pioneer. 
The  motive  power  of  this  mill  is  a  magnificent  waterfall 
of  sixty-two  feet. 

Another  industry  of  colonial  days  was  the  Ramsour 
mill  on  Clarke's  creek,  near  its  junction  with  the  South 
Fork  river.  This  was  established  by  the  pioneer  and 
patriarch,  Derrick.  Ramsour,  who  entered  many  acres 
along  these  streams.  This  mill  has  been  rendered  his- 
toric as  the  battle-ground  between  the  whigs  and  tories 
June  20,  1780,  and  the  camping  ground  of  Lord  Corn- 
wallis  and  the  English  army  a  few  months  later.  The 
public  bridge  now  spans  the  creek  at  the  old  mill  site. 
The  mill  stood  on  the  west  bank  and  the  battle  was 
fought  on  the  rising  ground  to  the  east. 

The  old  road  from  Ramsour's  mill  to  Warlick's  mill 
crossed  the  South  Fork  river  at  "Reep's  Ford"  just  be- 
low the  present  Ramsour  bridge.  Here  on  the  west 
bank  lived  Adam  Reep  one  of  the  heroes  of  the  battle 
and  a  noted  whig  scout.  He  lies  in  the  church  yard 
here  in  an  unmarked  grave. 

"They  carved  not  a  line,  tney  raised  not  a  stone, 
But  left  him  alone  in  his  glory." 

On  the  creek  to  the  north  and   adjoining   the  church 


20    HISTORY  OF  DANIEL  S  LUTH    &  REFORMED  CHURCHES. 

• . 

lands  lived  the  pioneer  Jonathan  Potts;  on  the  creek  to 
the  south  and  near  Mr.  Lee  Quickel's  lived  the  pioneer 
Howard.  According  to  tradition  he  was  killed  there  by  the 
Cherokee  Indians.  It  is  a  singular  tact  to  find  these 
streams  with  the  next  creek  to  the  east  bearing  the  Eng- 
lish names  of  Potts,  Howard,  and  Clarke,  yet  their  fer- 
tile valleys  have  for  a  period  of  time  so  long  "the  mem- 
ory of  man  runneth  not  to  the  contrary"  yielded  their 
bountiful  harvests  to  the  toil  of  the  Dutch  farmer. 

The  oldest  graves  in  this  ancient  burying  ground  are 
unmarked  or  marked  with  simple  stones.  I  copy  one  of 
the  Dutch  inscriptions: 

"Catharina  Rieben  wahr  gebohren  im  jahr  1802  Diev 
12  Julius  und  ist  gestorben  in  Jahr  18 16  den  15  Augus- 
tus. Ich  wahr  ein  armer  pilgrim  hier  auf  Erden." 
(Catharine  Reep  was  born  the  )2th  July  in  the  year 
1802  and  died  the  15th  August  in  the  year  18 16.  I  was 
a  poor  pilgrim  here  on  the  earth.) 

To-day  with  well  tilled  farms  supplied  with  the  per- 
fect results  of  ingenious  manufacture  it  requires  an  ef« 
fort  of  the  mind  to  conceive  the  disadvantages  under 
which  the  pioneers  labored.  These  came  with  the  axe 
and  rifle  and  the  few  articles  for  house  and  farm  use 
they  could  stow  away  in  a  wagon.  The  conveniences 
with  which  they  B  surrounded  themselves  were  slowly 
made  by  the  tedious  process  of  the  workman's  hand.  I 
have  the  memorandum  book  of  John  Ramsauer  who 
came  to  this  section  from  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1752.  In  this  are  the  plans  and  specifications  for  making 
a  blow,  wint-mill,  barral,  toob,  cak,  lome,  skane-reale, 
bellows,  and  other  useful  domestic  articles.  I  quote  the 
plow  and  a  few  other  items  to  show  the  effort  of  a  Penn- 
sylvania Dutchman  to  use  the  English: 


HISTORY  OF  DANIELS  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES.  21 

"Mambarrantom  a  bouth  a  blow,  the  pame  4  in  tick 
and  a  most  4  in  or  3*4  teep  and  7  food  long  and  the 
handals  long  5  food  and  a  x/2  and  behind  from  the  gib 
the  in  site  to  the  in  site  of  the  beam  10  in  straid  along 
the  untar  site  before  1 5  in  the  hantals  behind  2  f  9 
in  or  10- 1 1."  On  the  flyleaf  it  is  stated  that  John 
Ram sau r  "to  his  gorney  went"  August  27,  1752. 
"Cot  to  my  gorneys  ent  to  aury  lamberts  tis  6  day  of 
October  1752,"  a  forty  days  journey.  He  made  trips 
back  to  Pennsylvania,  as  did  many  of  the  pioneers  and 
there  are  items  showing  black  fox,  auter  and  beever 
foor  skins  "solt  and  paught."  He  kept  an  itemized  ac- 
count of  expenses  showing  what  he  Pait  for  a  busel  of 
corn,  sheve  of  ots,  bastring,  ferrish  at  the  Rauenock 
and  other  rivers,  the  cost  of  preckfast,  tiner,  suppar 
and  loghing,  and  loves  of  brad;  also  various  articles  such 
as  pare  of  flames,  pare  of  prittle  pits,  pare  of  carters, 
lucking  clase,  canttals,  wein,  siter,  pere,  a  tram,  etc. 

The  older  people  remember  when  a  trip  to  market 
meant  a  two  weeks  journey  to  Columbia  or  Charleston, 
and  coffee  was  considered  a  luxury.  If  there  was  coffee 
for  breakfast  even  the  little  ones  knew  it  was  Sunday 
morning. 

A  few  of  the  old  red-painted  houses  built  near  the 
spring  are  still  standing,  monuments  of  a  by-gone  age. 
The  large  Dutch  barn  with  space  into  which  to  drive  a 
wagon  with  its  towering  load  of  hay,  fodder  or  wheat 
may  yet  be  seen  at  your  elegant  homes  now  built  on  the 
highways.  You  have  the  double  crib  well  filled  with 
corn,  but  between  is  rarely  seen  the  great  wooden-axle 
four  horse  wagon  with  its  bow  shaped  body  suspended 
above  on  chains  ready  to  be  let  down  into  its  position 
on  the  wagon.     We  have  seen  these  superseded  by    the 


22    HISTORY  OF  DANIEL  S  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES. 

thimble  skein  and  square-box.  The  cook-stove  has 
taken  the  place  of  the  '*Dutch-bake-oven,"  but  the  pre- 
sent generation  insist  their  mothers  baked  the  sweetest 
bread  and  pies. 

While  the  Dutchman  is  conservative  and  follows  the 
old  rule: 

Be  not  the  first  by  whom  the  old  is  laid  aside  nor  the 
last  by  whom  the  new  is  tried,  the  ladies  must  keep  up 
with  the  latest  styles.  Your  mothers  were  doubtless  as 
much  interested  in  what  they  should  wear  as  you.  In 
the  olden  time  there  were  no  stores  near  with  heavily 
laden  shelves  from  which  to  select,  but  they  knew  howr 
to  color,  then  combine  the  colors  in  beautiful  fabrics, 
and  were  experts  in  fine  weaving-.  The  cloth  ready 
there  was  still  much  trouble  ahead.  They  perhaps  were 
not  bothered  with  gores  and  bias,  frillsa  nd  puffs,  and 
leg  o'mutton  sleeves  yet  they  had  their  troubles  in  cut- 
ting and  fitting  also  in  arranging  the  trimming.  One 
thing  is  certain  in  the  vigor  and  strength  of  perfect  de- 
velopment they  were  fair  to  look  upon.  They  were  per- 
haps unacquainted  with  the  strings  of  the  piano  and  the 
pages  of  the  latest  novel.  On  the  other  hand  they  were 
earnest  thoughtful  Christian  matrons  equally  at  home  in 
the  parlor  or  the  kitchen, — alive  to  the  wants  of  human- 
ity and  the  claims  of  God.  Much  of  this  noble  and  in- 
spiriting record  is  due  to  the  example,  counsels,  and 
prayers  of  pious  mothers;  and,  while  the  songs  of  the 
nursery  are  mingled  with  lessons  of  peace  and  love,  and 
tender  hearts  impressed  with  the  principles  of  religious 
truth  the  fires  will. continue  to  burn  brightly  at  these 
sacred  altars. 

The  record  is  quite  complete  during  Dr.  Fox's  pastor- 
ate.      November  9,  1856  the  officers   were  Gen.   Daniel 


HISTORY  OF  DANIEL'S  LUTH,  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES.    23 

Seagle,  John  Heavener,  George  Coon,  and  Jacob  Kist- 
ler,  Elders;  Daniel  A.  Yoder,  Secretary;  George  Coon, 
Treasurer;  Dav^d  A.  Coon,  Leader  in  Music;  then  fol- 
lows a  list  of  two  hundred  and  twelve  members. 

I  notice  the  following  births  recorded  on  the  same 
page,  with  but  few  weeks  difference  in  point  of  time: 
Charles  Lee  Coon — a  ripe  scholar  and  prominent  educa- 
tor; Henry  Seymour  Robinson  and  David  Wallace  Rob- 
inson whose  births  bear  the  same  date — the  first,  one 
of  Lincoln  county's  largest  merchants,  the  other  a  young 
lawyer,  the  peer  of  any  in  the  state;  John  Nelson  Hauss, 
a  trained  and  successful  teacher.  I  forbear  giving  dates 
but  will  say  the  first  was  named  by  a  follower  of  Gen. 
Lee;  the  next  are  sons  of  one  of  Lincoln's  best  sheriff's 
and  the  name  of  the  first  indicates  that  his  father  was 
an  ardent  supporter  of  Seymour  for  the  presidency. 

The  records  of  the  Trustees  have  been  preserved  since 
May  31,  1832.  The  following  have  served  on  the 
board:  John  Wise,  John  Havener,  Maxwell  Warlick, 
Henry  Kistler,  Jacob  Kistler,  George  Coon,  Jacob  Lantz. 
Daniel  Seagle,  George  S.  Ramsour,  Alfred  McCaslin, 
Marcus  F.  Coon,  Jacob  R.  Warlick. 

At  a  meeting  held  the  last  Saturday  of  December,  1  864, 
"George  Coon  handed  in  to  the  trustees  four  hundred 
dollars  in  Confederate  States  4  per  cent  certificates  as  be- 
longing to  the  church.'  In  February  following,  "George 
Coon  paid  into  the  Treasury  one  hundred  dollars,  pro- 
ceeds of  sale  of  rent  wheat  made  in  the  year  1864." 
Added  in  parenthesis:  "The  above  all  Confederate 
money — lost."  This  demonstrates  where  the  sympathy 
and  confidence  of  these  people  were  in  the  struggle  for 
Southern  Independence.  Not  only  that  but  her  sons 
were  in  the  forefront  from  Bethel  to  Appomattox.    Some 


24    HISTORY  OF  DANIEL  S  LUTII.  &  KKFOKMK  I)  CHURCH1  S. 

evidence  of  their  courage  and  capacity  is  indicated  by 
the  fact  that  two  of  the  Dutch  boys,  Robert  F,  Hoke, 
and  Stephen  D.  Ramseur  were  Major  Generals  in  the 
armies  of  the  Confederacy. 

Of  the  battle-scarred  veterans  yet  with  us  I  mention 
John  H.  Warlick  who  carries  on  his  person  rhe  scars  of 
three  gun  shot  wounds  and  two  saber  cuts  as  mementoes 
of  the  conflict;  Daniel  A.  Coon  who  'midst  the  shower  of 
leaden  hail  in  the  charge  of  Gettysburg  heights  was 
wounded  nine  times,  had  fifteen  bullet  holes  through 
his  clothes  and  two  through  one  shoe;  and  Able  -Seagle 
who  eniovs  the  almost  unparalleled  distinction  of  having 
a  minie  ball  pass  entirely  through  the  central  part  of  his 
body. 

I  now  pause  and  reverently  devote  a  page  of  this  nar- 
rative to  the  memory  of  the  members  of  this  congrega- 
tion who  lost  their  lives  in  that  struggle.  Dr.  Fox  com- 
piled a  list  of  the  Lutheran,  Sept.  24,  1865,  and  to  this 
is  added  the  names  of  the  Reformed. 


HISTORY  OF  DANIELS  LUTH.    &  REFORMED  CHURCHES.    25 


CONFEDERATE  DEAD,   l86l  — 1865. 

DANIEL  A,  SANE,  ELISHA  SMITH, 

F'NKLIN  A.  HAFFNER,  CALEB  LEONARD, 

WM.  M.  HOKE,  DANIEL  LUTZ, 

MARCUS  SEAGLE,  ANDREW  J.  ROBINSON, 

JACOB  M.  P,  QUICKLE,  MARCUS  M.    ROBINSON, 

DANIEL  M.  WISE,  GEORGE  F.  HOOVER, 

HENRY  J.  COON,  CABEB  SEAGLE, 

JOSEPH  W.  ROBINSON,  WILLIAM  LEONARD, 

ALFRED  M.  YODER,  ELIJAH  SIGMON, 

CEPHAS  A.  HAUSS,  MARTIN  RAMSOUR, 

NOE  SANE,  MlDDLEKAUFF  Ramsour, 

MARTIN  V.  SEAGLE,  DAVID  P(  SMITH, 

JONAS  E.  HOKE,  JOSHUA  HOLLROOKS, 

PINCKNEY  STRUTT,  JACOB  LANTZ, 

JACOB  W,  LEONHARDT  RAYMOND  RAMSOUR, 

HENRY  CARPENTER,  ROBERT  CATHEY. 


26    HISTORY  OF  DANIEL'S  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES. 

May  28,  1884:  "The  Trustees  of  Daniel's  church 
have  agreed  to  buy  an  organ  for  the  use  of  the  two  con- 
g  regations  Lutheran  and  Reformed  for  all  religious  ser- 
vices held  at  Daniel's  church."  Singings  have  been 
one  of  the  great  social  features  of  this  community,  and 
in  the  church  all  join  in  singing  the  beautiful  songs  of 
Zion. 

The  record  shows  an  item  cf  trouble  and  expense  was 
keeping  the  farm  fenced.  This  suggests  a  great  indus- 
trial change  of  recent  years,  the  adoption  of  the  "stock 
law."  Previous  to  that  ( 1 88 1 )  the  fields  were  fenced 
and  the  yard  and  garden  pailecl.  Stock  ranged  at  will 
and  were  traced  by  the  bell.  Ever}7  farmer  had  his  own 
peculiar  mark  for  his  hog,  sheep  and  cattle.  This  wTas 
often  made  a  matter  of  record  in  the  Court  House.  I 
should  have  to  ask  the  old  farmer  what  was  meant  by  "a 
half  crop  in  the  off  ear  and  a  slit  in  the  near  ear'  "a 
swallow  fork  in  each  ear,'  "a  smooth  crop  in  the  left 
ear  and  a  half  penny  crop  in  the  under  side  of  the  same 
ear,"  "a  hole  in  the  right  ear,  and  the  left  ear  crossed 
and  split,"  etc., 

At  the  meeting  Dec.  25,  1843  the  Trustees  had  in 
hand  $582.31.  May  27,  1844  articles  of  agreement 
were  formulated  for  the  erection  of  a  new  church.  These 
were,  signed  in  ben?  If  of  the  Lutheran  congregation  by 
Henry  Kistler,  John  AVise  and  Jacob  Hoover;  in  behalf 
of  the  German  Reformed  by  Samuel  Lantz,  Maxwell 
Warlick,  Abs.  Warlick  and  Peter  Finger.  The  in- 
terests of  each  congregation  are  carefully  set  out,  so  as 
to  avoid  any  friction,  and  "There  is  not  to  be  any  for- 
mal dedication  or  consecration  of  said  church  during  the 
time  the  said  congregations  shall  both  occupy  it  and 
worship  therein — but  it  is  to  bear    the  name  of   Daniel'^ 


HISTORY  OF  DANIELS  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES.     27 

church.      vSo  the  new    church     was  jointly    used.      The 
relations  continuing    amicable    May,    23,   1878    Maxwell 
Warlick,  George    Coon,     George     Ramsour  and     Alfred 
McOaslin  signed  this  agreement,    "we  the    undersigned 
have  agreed  to  have  the  church  dedicated."     On  the  2nd 
Sunday  in  August   following  the    house  of    worship  was 
•'solemnly  consecrated  to  the  service  of  the  Triune  God 
and    the  Evangelical  Lutheran  and  Reformed   congrega- 
tions."    The  services    were    conducted    by  Rev.     J.  R. 
Peterson,  Lutheran  Pastor,    Rev.  J.  H    Shuford,    Refor- 
med Pastor,  and  the  dedication  sermon  was  preached  by 
Rev.  J.  C.  Clapp,  D.  D.,  from  the  beautiful    and  appro- 
priate text:  "Behold  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for 
brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity."   I  approve  as  God's 
plan  the  division    of    the  church    militant   into    compact 
effective  organizations,  all    marching  under    the  banner 
of  the  cross,     confidently    looking    forward  to    the  time 
when  distinctions  shall  fade  away  and  all  lay  their  troph- 
ies at  Jesus'  feet  "and  crown  Him  Lord  of  all." 
How  good  and  pleasant  to  the  sight 
Where  those  that  brethren  are,  delight 
In  unity  to  dwell. 
A  school  house  was  erected  on  this  land  prior  to   1767 
— how  many  years  we  know  not.      But  certainly    it    was 
maintained  from  that  date  down  to   1882.      The  citizens 
then  determined  to  erect  a  more  commodious    building. 
A  lot  adjoining  the  church  ground  was  purchased    from 
C.  and  W.  H.  Motz,  and  conveyed  Feb.  22,  1882  to  Da- 
vid A.  Coon,  Jacob  H.  Rhodes  and  David  W.  Ramsour, 
committee,    on  which  a  brick  school  house  was    erected. 
This  building:  was  a  credit    to    the    intelligence    of    this 
community,    and    is    the    best    public    school-house     in 
Lincoln  county  to-day. 


28    HISTORY  OF  DANIEL'S  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES. 

Both  congregations  had  occupied  the  same  house  of 
worship,  using  it  on  alternate  Sabbaths  down  to  188*.. 
The  Lutherans  first  decided  to  erect  a  new  and  separate 
church  commensurate  with  the  needs  and  ability  of 
their  large  congregation.  The  present  structure  costing 
the  sum  of  $4,000.00  is  the  result  of  their  efforts.  I 
was  present  at  its  dedication  28th,  July  1889. 

A  congregational  meeting  of  the  Reformed  church 
was  held  July  6,  1889  and  Titus  Rhodes.  Henry  War- 
lick,  Eli.  D.  Ramsour,  A.  C.  Hottenstein,  and  W.  E, 
Miller  were  appointed  a  committee  to  get  up  a  plan  for 
a  new  building.  The  date  of  ics  completion  is  indicat- 
ed by  the  marble  tablet  in  front  of  the  church  bearing 
the  simple  inscription.  , 

REFORMED 
1892. 
Both  these  buildings  are    brick,   elegant    in    design, 
commodious,  substantial  and  creditable    to    the    congre- 
gations that  erected  them. 

They  stand  within  300  feet  of  each  other  on  the  Mor- 
ganton  roac.  four  miles  north  west  of  Lincolnton,  The 
spire  of  the  Reformed  church  is  visible  from  the  Court 
House  square.  The  Lutheran  congregation  numbers  two 
hundred  and  twenty  two  members  and  the  Reformed 
seventy  six  members. 

The  worshippers  at  this  ancient  shrine  once  gathered 
from  a  wide  extended  scope  of  country.  There  was  a 
meeting  house  here  a  quarter  of  a  century  before  the 
town  of  Lincolnton  was  established  The  establishment 
of  new  churches  has  circumscribed  the  limits  of  these 
congregations  until  now  none  of  the  members  are  mor^ 
than  three  miles  distant  from  the  place  of  worship.  It 
is  worthy  of  note    that  there  is  no  church   of  any    other 


HISTORY  OF  DANIEL'S  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES.  2Q 

denomination  in  the  bounds  of  this  congregation,  and  all 
with  but  few  exceptions  are  members  of  one  of  these 
churches, 

LUTHERAN  PASTORS. 
Philip  Henkel  was  born  in  Pendleton  county,  Va., 
Sept.  23,  1779.  His  father  Rev.  Paul  Henkel  in  a  re- 
port in  1806  speaking  of  Mr.  Arndt  says:  "For  the  last 
four  years  he  became  unfitted  for  his  calling  as  he  met 
with  the  misfortune  of  losing  his  eye  sight  entirely.  He 
is  at  present  quite  an  aged  man  and  were  it  not  for  his 
misfortune  might  still  serve  his  holy  calling.  The 
greater  part  of  his  former  congregations  are  now  served 
by  Rev.  Pliilij  Henkel."  He  resigned  in  18 14  and 
went  to  Tenn.  He  died  Nov  9,  1833,  having  labored 
in  the  Lord's  vineyard  with  undaunted  zeal  for  thirty 
eight  years. 

David  Henkel  was  born  in  Staunton,  Va.,  May  24, 
1795:  commenced  his  gospel  labors  in  1812;  ordained  to 
the  ministry  on  Trinity  Sunday  18 19.  He  had  prior  to 
that  time  (18 14)  succeeded  his  brother  Philip  in  charge 
of  this  church,  was  its  pastor  at  the  organization  of  the 
Tennessee  Synod,  and  the  recognized  leader  in  its  for- 
mation. He  was  a  bold  and  active  worker  in  the  Re- 
deemer's kingdom.  He  married  Catharine,  a  daughter 
of  Hon.  Peter  Hoyle  of  this  congregation.  His  father, 
four  of  his  brothers,  and  two  of  his  sons  were  Lutheran 
ministers.  Mr.  Henkel  died  June  15,  1831,  aged  36 
years,  1  month,  and  1 1   days, 

Daniel  Moser  was  born  in  Orange  County  N,  C,  May 
8,  1790;  entered  the  ministry  in  1812;  came  to  the  work 
on  the  Lincoln  charge  in  1814;  was  ordained  to  the  office 
of  pastor  in  the  Old  White  Church  in  Lincolnton  during 


30    HISTORY  OF  .DANIEL'S  LUTIL  &  REFORMED  CHUR'TI  1  S. 

the  memorable  meeting  of  Synod  in  1820;  united  with 
the  Tennessee  Synod  in  1824.  A  tew  years  after  this 
he  became  pastor  of  Daniels  church,  Perhaps  about  1828. 
I  have  been  unable  to  ascertain  either  the  be^innine  or 
termination  of  his  pastorate.  Mr.  Moser  was  a  preacher 
firm  in  the  faith,  and  worthy  of  his  vocation.  He  passed 
to  rest  July  11,  1839,  beloved,  honored,  and  revered. 

Rev.  Adam  Miller  was  a  man  of  great  force  of  charac- 
ter ard  brilliant  attainments.  He  succeeded  Mr.  Moser 
but  I  am  unable  to  fix  the  date.  Charges  were  preferred 
against  him  in  the  criminal  and  church  courts.  The 
Tennessee  Synod  met  in  this  church  October  17,  1846. 
The  all  absorbing  question  was  the  "Adam  Miller  Case," 
The  record  recites:  "Mr.  Miller  withdrew  himself  from 
the  Synod.  In  view  of  this  fact  Synod  deemed  it  un- 
necessary to  take  further  action  relative  to  the  matter  at 
that  time." 

Polycarp  C.  Henkel  was  the  son  of  David  Henkel  and 
Catherine  (Hoyle)  Henkel.  He  was  born  in  sight  of  this 
church  August  20,  1820.  He  was  ordained  at  the  Synod 
of  1846,  at  which  time  the  pastoral  relation  was  estab- 
lished with  this  church.  His  pastorate  terminated  in 
1854.  He  married  Rebecca,  a  sister  of  Dr.  A.  J.  Fox, 
who  still  survives.  He  preached  for  forty-six  years 
without  interuption,  and  was  an  original  thinker,  a  fine 
logician,  a  profound  theologian  and  powerful  preacher 
He  died  at  his  home  in  Conover,  N.  C,  Sept.  26,     1889. 

Alfred  J.  Fox  was  born  in  Chatham  county,  N.  L\, 
Sept.  6,  1817.  He  was  a  self  made  man  and  rose  to 
wide  extended  usefulness.  He  accepted  the  call  to  thi" 
church  in  1854.  In  1855  he  purchased  the Loretz home- 
stead where  he  lived  with  the  exception  of  a  few  years 
the  remainder  of  his  life.     He  moved  to  Newton  in  1873 


HISTORY  OF  DANIEL'S  LU'iTI.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES,  3  I 


to  educate  his  children  and  Oct.  31,  1875  tendered  his 
resignation.  Thousands  of  souls  owe  their  deepest 
moral  and  religious  impressions  to  his  preaching  and  ex- 
ample. He  died  Dec.  10,  1884  and  was  buried  at  Salem 
church. 

Jesse  R.  Peterson  was  born  near  this  church  July  15, 
1 82 1,  and  was  ordained  to  the  office  of  Pastor  at  the 
memorable  meeting  of  Svnod  held  in  Daniels  church 
in  1846.  He  became  pastor  of  the  church  in  which  he 
was  reared  January  30,  1876  and  continued  in  that  re- 
lation for  the  next  five  years.  As  a  preacher  he  was 
clear,  forcible,  positve  and  earnest.  He  died  in  Gaston 
county,  N.  C,  May  15,  1897.  aged  seventy- five  years 
and  ten  months. 

Rev.  Marcus  L.  Little,  a  native  of  Catawba  county, 
N;  C,  served  as  pastor  during  the  years  1882  -  1883. 
Mr.  Little  was  a  zealous  supporter  of  Christian  educa- 
tion, and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  President  of  Gas- 
ton College,  He  possessed  a  combination  of  natural 
talents  and  moral  virtues  constituting  a  Christian  char- 
acter of  rare  excellence.  He  met  a  tragic  death  in  a 
terrible  R.  R.  accident  on  the  C.  &  L.  N.  G,  R.  R. 
near  Newton,  Feb,  16,    1891. 

John  Anderson  Rudisill  was  born  May  28,  1856  with- 
in a  few  miles  of  this  church;  ordained  pastor,  October 
17,  1883;  became  pastor  of  this  church  in  1884  and  so 
remained  until  called  from  his  earthly  labors  by  the 
Master  he  so  faithfully  served.  He  died  July  21,  1895 
at  the  age  of  39  years  1  month  and  23  days,  and  his  re- 
mains were  buried  at  Trinity  church.  In  his  decease 
we  mourned  the  loss  of  a  good  citizen,  a  pure  man,  an 
earnest  Christian  and  consecrated  minister. 

Rev,  J.  C.  Wessinger  was  the  assistant  of  Mr.    Rudi- 


32    HISTORY  OF  DANIEL  S  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES. 

sill  for  one  year  before  his  death  and  acted  as  supply  for 
six  months  afterwards. 

Rev.  E.  J.  nox  served  as  supply  the  first  half  of  1896. 

Martin  Luther  Pence,  the  present  pastor,  is  a  native 
of  Rockingham  County,  Virginia,  commenced  preaching 
in  1895;  begun  preaching  at  Daniel's  June  28,  1896;  was 
installed  pastor  Oct.  25,  1896  by  Rev.  R.  A.  Yoder. 
This  is  his  first  pastorate.  Mr,  Pence  is  an  active  man, 
a  clear  thinker  good  preacher  and  efficient  worker. 

REFORMED   PASTORS. 

After  the  death  of  Mr,  Loretz  there  was  no  regular 
Reformed  pastor  for  a  period  of  sixteen  years.  During 
this  time  the  churches  were  occasionally  visited  by 
ministers  sent  out  by  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  second  Reformed  pastor  was  Rev.  John  G.  Frit- 
chey.  He  came  in  the  spring  of  1828,  and  for  the  next 
twelve  years  was  pastor  of  this  and  all  the  Reformed 
churches  west  of  the  Catawba  river.  In  May  1831  the 
classis  of  N.  C.  was  organized  at  the  brick  church  in 
Guilford  county.  The  Lincoln  churches  were  represent- 
ed by  Rev.  J.  G.  Fritchey,  and  Col.  John  Hoke,  Elder. 
Mr.  Fritchey  was  dismissed  to  the  Classis  of  Zion  and 
afterwards  labored  many  years  in  the  service  of  the 
Great  Master. 

G.  A.  Leopold  then  came  in  tor  a  shoit  service.  Mr. 
Fritchey  invited  him  to  Carolina  and  divided  his  work 
with  him.  In  1839  ne  became  a  member  of  this  cla:  sis. 
He  remained  but  a  short  time,  got  money  on  false  pre- 
tenses and  left.      He  was  deposed  by  classis  in  1842. 

John  Hobart  Crawford,  a  native  of  Maryland,  accept- 
ed a  call  to  the  Lincoln  charge  in  1841.  He  was  a  class- 
mate of  Mr.  Fritchey,  who  induced  him  to  come    south. 


HISTORY  OF  DANIELS  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES,  33 

He  did  not  remain  pastor  of  this  church  but  a  short 
time, — was  dismissed  to  the  classis  of  Virginia  where  he 
died  in  the  service  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

In  August  1842  Solomon  S.  Middlekauff  became  the 
next  pastor.  He  was  a  native  of  Hagerstown,  Mary- 
land, was  ordained  and  installed  in  Lincolnton.  The 
elders  at  this  date  were  Samuel  Lantz,  Daniel  Loretz, 
Maxwell  Warlick,  and  John  Motz.  He  remained  the 
faithful  pastor  of  this  church  until  his  untimely  death 
May  2i,  1845,  at  the  early  age  of  twenty  six  years.  He 
was  much  loved.  His  mortal  remains  repose  in  the  "Old 
White  Church"  g  raveyard  in  Lincolnton,  His  consort,  a 
daughter  of  Jacob  Ramsour,  lies  beside  him. 

He  was  succeeded  in  1846  by  Rev.  David  Crooks  of 
Franklin  County,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  (?)  was  born, 
March  20,  18 12.  He  was  a  good  preacher  and  faithful 
servant  of  his  Lord  and  Master.  He  likewise  remained 
pastor  until  his  death  which  occurred  January  24,  1859. 
Mr.  Crooks  was  for  twenty  years  a  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel in  the  German  Reformed  Church  and  wras  laid  to  rest 
at  Mathews  church. 

Jeremiah  Ingold  was  born  in  Guilford  county,  N.  C, 
September  26,  18 16,  licensed  and  ordained  to  the  minis- 
try April  4,  1844.  He  became  pastor  of  this  church  in 
1859  and  remained  until  1874.  He  married  Miss  Mar- 
garet Ramsour  of  this  congregation  February  14.  1843, 
Alter  spending  a  half  centurv  in  the  Master's  vineyard, 
ne  died  at  Hickory,  N.  C,  February  12,  1893.  Since 
his  pastorate  the  changes  have  been  frequent. 

Julius  H.  Shuford  was  licensed  and  ordained  in  1874. 
This  was  his  first  charge.  He  served  this  church  as 
pastor  until  1879  and  faithfully  discharged  the  duties  of 
his  sacred  office. 


34    HTSTORY  OF  DANIEL  SLUTH    &  REFORMED  CHURCHES. 

Rev.  A.  S.  Vaughn  came  from  Penn.  to  N.  C.  before 
the  late  war  and  was  President  of  Catawba  College,  He 
united  with  the  Presbyterian  church.  While  a  Presby- 
terian minister  he  served  Daniel's  church  from  1880  to 
1883  but  of  course  was  not  regularly  installed  as  pastor. 

Rev,  A.  P.  Horn  a  young  man  who  came  from  Penn. 
served  this  church  for  nine  months  in  1883. 

G.  Dickey  Gurley  came  from  Penn.  to  N.  C,  about 
1880.  He  served  this  church  during  the  years  1884 — 
1885.      He  left  the  classis  in  1886  and  went  west. 

Joseph  L.  Murphy,  a  native  of  Davidson  County,  N. 
C,  was  licensed  and  ordained  by  Classis  in  Newton 
October  1885.  He  was  called  to  the  Lincoln  charge  and 
served  as  pastor  of  Daniel's  church  from  July  1885  to 
November  1890.  He  then  accepted  a  call  to  the  Hick- 
ory charge  where  he  yet  remains.  Mr.  Murphy  is  a 
man  of  liberal  education  a  fine  preacher,  and  zealous 
worker.  Besides  his  pastoral  labors  he  is  editor  of  the 
Corinthian,  the  organ  of  the  N.  C.   Classis. 

C.  A.  Starr  a  student  in  Catawba  College  then  served 
as  supply  until  his  dearh,  Sept,  20,  1891.  Although  he 
labored  but  a  short  time  he  won  the  love  and  confidence 
of  all,  and  the  congregation  was  looking  forward  to  him 
as  a  pastor. 

J.  M.  L.  Lyerly  of  Rowan  county  was  licensed  and 
ordained  to  preach  in  1889.  He  served  this  church  for 
one  year  1892- 1893. 

Jacob  C.  Clapp  was  licensed  and  ordained  as  pastor  of 
the  Newton  church  in  1869  which  he  still  serves.  He 
was  pastor  of  Daniel's  church  1894-18Q6.  He  is  presi- 
dent of  Catawba  College,  a  scholar  and  teacher  of  ability 
and  one  of  the  best  preachers  I  know. 

Theodore  Calvin  Hesson,  the  present  pastor,  was  born 


HISTORY  OF  DANIEL  S  LUTH,  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES.     35 

in  Littlestown,  Adams  county,  Pennsylvania;  spent  sev- 
eral years  in  successful  educational  work;  graduated  both 
from  college  and  seminary  with  distinction;  licensed  by 
Gettysburg  Classis  May  15,  1897;  ordained  and  installed 
by  committee  appointed  by  N.  C.  Classis  July  18,  1897; 
this  is  his  first  pastorate.  He  is  a  preacher  of  ability 
and  is  meeting  with  success  in  his  work. 

The  following  ministers  have  gone  out  from  the  mem- 
bership of  these  churches: 

Polycarp  C.  Henkel  and  Socrates  Henkel,  Lutheran 
preachers  of  great  ability  and  usefulness,  were  born  in 
sight  of  this  church.  Tesse  R.  Peterson,  an  active  and 
faithful  minister  for  fifty-four  years,  first  saw  the  light 
on  an  adioiningfarm.  John  Lantz,  for  many  years  a  Re- 
formed minister,  was  reared  in  this  congregation.  The 
lamented  pastor.  J.  A.  Rudisill,  was  born  in  this  congre- 
gation. Luther  A.  Fox,  D.  D.,  an  eminent  scholar  and 
able  professor  in  Roanoke  college,  Va.,  and  Junius  B. 
Fox  of  Newberry,  3.  C,  a  divine  of  culture  and  learn- 
ing, are  sons  of  Dr.  A.  J.  Fox.  Rev.  R.  A,  Yoder,  A. 
M.,  President  of  Lenoir  College,  Hickory,  N.  C. ,  and 
Luther  L.  Lohr,  a  rising  young  minister  now  in  Penn., 
were  born  in  this  congregation  and  reared  in  the  nurture 
of  Daniels  church  Charles  W,  Warlick,  a  bright  young 
man,  is  now  entering  the  Reformed  ministry. 

Of  the  sheriffs  of  Lincoln  county  John  E.  Coulter, 
Caleb  Miller,  J.  A.  Robinson,  John  K,  Cline,  and  the 
present  sheriff,  Charles  H.  Rhodes,  have  been  of  this 
community,  also  two  Registers  of  Deeds,  Henry  E. 
Ramsour  and  Burton  C.  Wood. 

Among  the  oldest  members  of  this  congregation,  is 
Daniel  Holly,  now  in  his  eighty- sixth  year.  He  as- 
sisted in  the  first  clearing  on  the  church  land    in  1828, 


36  history  of  Daniel's  luth.  &  reformed  churches. 

and  was  catechised  by  Rev.  Daniel  Moser  in  1830. 

Jacob  Kistler,  long  identified  with  the  council  of  this 
church,  is  yet  living  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty  years. 

Another  venerable  member  is  Cephas  Quickie,  now  in 
his  seventy-ninth  year.  He  has  been  one  of  the  strong 
supporters  of  this  church  and  enjoys  the  confidence  and 
respect  of  his  fellow  men. 

In  this  vicinity  lives  the  Hon,  A.  Costner,  one  of 
Lincoln  county's  purest  and  best  citizens,  and  often  her 
representative  in  the  General  Assembly. 

It  is  a  solemn  thought  that  as 

"Leaves  have  their  time  to  fail, 
And  flowers  to  wither  at  the  north  wind  s  breath," 
so  surely  are  we  passing  away. 

My  acquaintance  with  this  community  began  about 
fifteen  years  ago.  In  that  time  the  grim  reaper  has  not 
been  idle.  I  pause  for  a  moment  to  pay  a  feeble  tribute 
to  the  memory  of  the  fathers  I  knew  in  the  flesh,  now 
peacefully  sleeping  beneath  the  autumn  leaves  and  plant 
a  flower  of  love  to  keep  vigil  at  the  little  mound  that 
marks  their  last  resting  place. 

The  first   to  mention    was  Gen.    Daniel  Seagle,    a  de- 
voted Lutheran,  an  honored  elder  in  this  church,  who  in 
the  lengthened  evening  of  a  well  spent  life  passed  beyond 
the  "dark  river"  to  join  that  noble  army  encamped: 
"On  fames  eternal  camping  ground." 

Beneath  the  shadow  of  those  noble  oaks  lived  Dr.  A. 
J.  Fox,  for  forty-seven  years  an  earnest  faithful  Luther- 
an minister,  well  combining  the  two  characters  of  the 
divine  and  physician.  He  "fought  a  good  fight,"  he 
"kept  the  faith,"  and  now  wears  the  victor's  crown. 

I  next  mention  a  simple  farmer,  an  humble  citizen, 
an  earnest  christian,  but  one  of  nature's  noble  men,  who 


HISTORY  OF  DANIEL  S  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES.    37 

in  dealing  with  his  fellows  merited  and  received  a  title 
worthy  the  pride  and  emulation  not  only  of  his  posterity 
but  all  mankind;  you  know  to  whom  I  refer,  "Honest" 
George  Coon. 

The  most  numerous  family  in  the  old  county  of  Lin- 
coln, including  besides  its  present  territory,  Catawba, 
Gaston  and  part  of  Cleveland,  was  Zimmermann,  the  Ger- 
man for  Carpenter.  An  humble  member  of  this  family 
has  recently  passed  away  who  reaped  the  rewards  of  a 
virtuous  life,  length  of  days  and  contentment,  Jonathan 
Carpenter,  aged  ninety-four  years. 

Joshua  Lohr,  was  a  plain  Dutchman,  whose  long  life  was 
spent  in  the  bounds  of  this  congregation.  He  lived  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  After  the 
cold  hand  of  death  had  closed  his  eyes  his  body  was 
placed  beside  the  church  of  his  fathers  in  the  silent  city 
of  the  dead. 

Devoted  and  consistent  members  of  the  Reformed 
church  were  the  brothers,  David  and  George  Ramsour, 
men  of  action,  men  who  believed  in  the  dignity  of  labor. 
Life's  battles  o'er,  the  victory  won,  their  spirits  have 
been  reunited  in  the  happy  regions  beyond  the  river. 

Alfred  McCaslin  was  a  man  of  genial  manners  and 
commanding  presence,  whose  conversation  abounded  in 
humor  and  anecdote  as  well  as  kindness  and  sense.  In 
his  decease  this  church  and  community  suffered  a  great 
loss. 

Maxwell  Warlick  was  a  characteristic  Dutchman.  He 
spent  his  long  life  on  the  broad  acres  entered  by  his 
pioneer  ancestor  and  was  a  consistent  and  devoted  mem- 
ber of  the  church  of  his  fathers,  the  Reformed — when 
the  "silver  cord"  was  loosed  one  of  the  connecting  links 
between  the  past  and  present  was  broken. 


38  history  of  Daniel's  luth.  &  reformed  churches. 

These  have  fallen  in  the  great  battle  of  life  and  been 
gathered  as  jewels  to  shine  in  heaven's  casket  like  stars 
forever  .  Of  them  all  we  feel  that  we  can  truthfully 
say:  "Life's  race  well  run,  life's  work  well  done,  life's  vic- 
tory won,  now  cometh  rest." 

These  venerable  elders  attained  an  average  age  of 
seventy-nine  years.  They  prove  that  you  belong  to  a 
race  of  great  physical  strength,  moral  courage  and 
Christ- like  simplicity.  Ponder  well  their  lives  and  em- 
ulate their  virtues. 

I  also  record  my  esteem  for  the  old  sheriff  and  sur- 
veyor, John  E.  Coulter.  He  passed  away  long  before 
my  time  but  his  reputation  for  integrity,  correctness 
and  as  a  Christian  gentleman,  still  lingers.  So  accurate 
was  his  work  as  a  surveyor  that  I  esteem  it  a  pleasure  to 
retrace  his  surveys  and  run  with  the  assurance  of  hit- 
ting the  corners. 

My  picture  of  the  past  is  about  complete,  my  aim  has 
been  historic  truth,  no  fancy  sketch.  Now  in  conclu- 
sion, adopting  for  a  moment  the  sentiment  of  the  great 
apostle  Paul,  "Forgetting  those  things  that  are  behind," 
let  us  "press  forward  to  that  which  is  before."  I  con- 
clude with  a  few  words: 
To  the  younger  members  of  this   community: 

You  will  soon  be  the  elders.  On  you  will  devolve 
the  duties  and  responsibilities  of  citizenship  in  church, 
state  and  society.  There  are  two  cardinal  poinds  woven 
into  your  past  history,  Make  these  your  guiding  stars, 
and  your  destinies  are  secure.  The  Dutch  forefathers 
"in  the  beginning"  laid  deep  and  strong  the  founda- 
tions of  this  community  when  they  founded  it  upon  'the 
meeting  house  and  school  house."  How  have  the  elders 
with  us  and  those  that  have  lately  fallen  asleep,  builded 


HISTORY  OF  DANIEL'S  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES.,  39 

on  that  foundation?  These  two  churches  and  yonder 
building  of  brick  and  mortar  and  stone  are  the  lasting- 
monuments  to  their  love  and  esteem  for  Religion  and 
Education. 

May  your  characters,  and  that  of  your  children,  and 
children's  children  through  succeeding  generations  till 
"time  shall  be  no  more,"  be  fashioned  and  built  on 
these  enduring  principles.  We  are  living  in  the  most 
useful  and  progressive  age  of  our  race.  Mind  is  every 
where  awake  and  in  motion.  We  are  no  longer  astound- 
ed when  new  discoveries  and  inventions  are  announced. 
Man  has  pressed  into  his  service  the  winds,  water,  fire, 
gravity,  electricity,  ether,  and  light  itself.  As  the 
fathers  laid  aside  the  sickle  for  the  scythe  and  later  the 
mower  for  the  self-binder  so  must  we  press  forward  in 
the  mighty  conflict,  with  cultivated  minds  and  skilful 
hands  keeping  pace  with  the  progress  and  development 
of  the  wonderful  times  in  which  we  live.  But  time  for- 
bids that  I  should  even  touch  upon  the  reasons.  By  the 
hallowed  memories  of  a  noble  ancestry  and  the  impres- 
sive words  of  inspiration  I  bid  you:  "Amid  all  thy  get- 
tings  get  understanding." 

When  a  queen  died  her  three  sons  brought  an  offering 
to  the  grave;  One  brought  gold,  another  silver,  and 
the  third  opened  one  of  his  veins  and  let  his  heart's  blood 
drop  upon  his  mother's  tomb  and  all  who  saw  it  said  it 
was  the  greatest  demonstration  of  affection.  The  grand- 
est gift  you  can  bring  to  the  sepulchres  of  a  noble 
Christian  ancestry  is  a  life  consecrated  to  the  God  who 
made  us  and  the  Christ  who  redeemed  us.  The  best 
possible  wish  that  I  can  make  for  you  and  for  us  all  is 
tc  get  that  wisdom  which 

Makes  us  brave 


40    HISTORY  OF  DANIEL  S  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES. 

"  In  the  great  faith  of  life  beyond  the  grave; 
"the  mer-  chandise  of  which  is  better  than  silver  and  the 
gain  thereof   than  fine  gold,  that   is  more  precious  than 
rubies,  and  all  things  that  thou  canst  desire  are  not  to  be 
compared  unto  her." 

DANIELS    REFORMED    CHURCH. 

OFFICERS  AND  MEMBERS,  OCTOBER  1,  1898. 
T.  C.  HESSON,  pastor. 


ELDERS. 
P.   W.  RAMSOUR,  D.  H.  WARLICls 


DEACONS. 
R.  H.  WILLIS,  D.  C.  WARLICK. 


R.  H.  WILLIS,  Treasurer.    J.  R.  WARLICK,  Secretary 
BEULAH  WHITE,  Organist. 


MEMBERS. 

Laura  A.  Adderholdt,  Jacob  A.  Miller, 

Annie  Cline,  Arthur  A,  Miller, 

Myrta  M.  Corrier,  Zebulon  S.  Miller, 

D.  Cass  Coon,  Annie  L,  Miller, 

M,  Lillie  Heavener,  Addie  B.  Miller, 

John  F.  Hoover,  VV.  Ed  Miller, 

Mary  L.  Hoover,  Dora  Miller, 

William  T.  Hoover,  Minnie  Miller, 

Catie  M,  Hoover,  Catie  M.  Miller. 

A,  C.  Hottenstein,  C.  Preston  Miller, 

Ada  V.  Hottenstein,  Henry  E.  Ramsour, 

Lela  Leonard,  S.  Addie  Ramsour, 

Oscar  O.  Leonard,  Pink  W.  Ramsour. 

Mamie  E.  Leonard,  Sallie  Ramscur, 

Catharine  Leonard,  Daniel  W.  Ramsour, 

Bettie  McNairy,  Eli  D.  Ramsour, 


HISTORY  OF  DANIEL'S  LUTII.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES.    41 


Laura  C.  Ramsour, 
Guy  M,  Ramsour, 
Earl  S.  Ramsour, 
Maude  Ramsour, 
Milton  Ramsour, 
Rhoda  Ramsour, 
Silas  R.  Ramsour, 
Raymond  G.  Ramsour, 
Connie  E.  Ramsour, 
Clara  E.  Ramsour, 
William  G,  Ramsour, 
M.  Johnsie  Reep. 
Linna  Reep, 
L.  Jacob  Reep, 
Alice  Reep, 
Annie  Reep, 
William  J.  Reep. 
M.  Jane  Reep, 
E.  Titus  Rhodes, 
Mamie  T.  Rhodes, 
David  P.  Smith. 
Martha  Smith, 


Raymond  C.  Smith, 
Daniel  C.  Warlick, 
May  M,  Warlick, 
Lulu  F.  Warlick, 
Soloman  R.  Warlick, 
Thomas  A.  Warlick, 
Cora  M.  Warlick, 
D.  Henry  Warlick, 
L.  Elizabeth  Warlick, 
Charles  W.  Warlick, 
James  D.  Warlick, 
Jesse  W.  Warlick, 
Lewis  H.  Warlick, 
Jacob  R.  Warlick, 
L.  Emma  Warlick, 
Etta  Clare  Warlick. 
Robert  H.   Willis, 
Lulu  Willis, 
J.  R,   white, 
Sallie  A.  white, 
Ed.  H,  white, 
Beulah  B.  white. 


BALANCE  OF  LUTHERAN  NAMES  FOLLOWING  PAGF 


John  H.  Wood, 
KIk  Wood, 
Emma  Wood, 
Daniel  Workman, 
Matt.  A.  Workman, 
David  Yoder, 
Daniel  A.  Yoder, 
Robert  L.  Yoder, 
William  Yoder, 
William  M.  Yoder, 
Oscar  K.  Yoder, 
Luther  A.  Yoder, 
M.  Luther  Yoder, 
Katie  Y'oder, 
Sarah  A.  Y^oder, 


Hattie  M.  Yoder, 
Lizzie  P.  Yoder, 
Charles  J,  Roberts, 
Alfred  Oscar  Cansler, 
Minnie  A.  H,  Reep, 
M.  K.K.Wood, 
Myrtle  A.  Roberts. 
Laura  L.  Lore, 
Mary  E.  Heavner, 
Bessie  A.  Blackburn, 
Bessie  L.  Leatherman, 
Ella  L.  Leatherman, 
K   Ossie  Pearl  Hauss, 
Lawrence  L.  Kistler. 


NOTE — This  arrangement 
some  names.       Also;  a  line  o 
left  out  by  death,  but   does 
Mizzie  Coon. 


has  been  made  necessary  partly  by  the  addition  of 
n  the  manuscript  says  one  Lutheran  name  should  be 
not    designate   it.     The   printers    think  it   is  Miss  F  . 


42    HISTORY  OF  DANIEL'S  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES. 


DANIELS  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  CHURCH. 

OFFICERS  AND  MEMBERS,  OCTOBER  1,  1898. 
M.  L.  PENCE,  pastor, 

ELDERS. 

D.  A.  COON,     G.  W.  CANSLER.      DAVID  YODER 


DEACONS. 
WILLIAM  YODER,  MARCUS  F,  COON. 


GEORGE  W.  CANSLER,  Treasurer. 


WIELIAM  YODER,  Secietaiy 


HATTIE  M.  YODER,    Organist, 


Jackwson  Armstrong, 
Joseph  Armsrong, 
B.  Kelly  Armstrong. 
Polly  Armstrong, 
Catherine  Armstrong, 
Sarah  Armstrong, 
Belle  E.  Avery, 
Anna  B.  Averv, 
John  H.  Bangle, 
William  A.  Bangle, 
Mary  L.  Bangle, 
Malinda  M.  Bangle, 
Effie  L.  Bangle, 
Eli  Blackburn, 
Nancy  Blackburn, 
Mary  E.  Bost, 
George  W.  Cansler, 
Katie  E.  Cansler, 
Thomas  H.  Cansler, 
J.  Ernest  Cansler, 
Ada  Cansler, 
Jennie  Cansler, 
Philip  W.  Carpenter, 
John  F.  Carpenter, 


MEMBERS. 

Adolphus  Carpenter, 
George  T.  Carpenter, 
Augustus  B.  Carpenter 
Lester  H.   Carpenter, 
Henry  H.  Carpenter, 
Camilla  Carpenter, 
Rhoda  E.   Carpenter, 
Alice  Carpenter, 
Mollie  Carpenter, 
Ella  E.  Carpenter, 
Laura  A.  Carpenter, 
M.  Ellen  Cauble, 
Mary  Cloninger, 
David  A.  Coon, 
Adolphus  S.  Coon, 
Marcus  F.  Coon, 
George  F.  Coon. 
John  A.  Coon, 
Henry  J,"  Coon, 
Robert  H.  Coon, 
G.  A.  Burgin  Coon, 
Willie  Coon, 
Fannie  E.  Coon, 
vS.  Bettie  Ccon, 


HISTORY  OF  DANIEL  S  LUTH.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES.    43 


Lucy  Coon, 
F.  Lizzie  Coon, 
Ella  Coon, 
Katie  Pearl  Coon, 
Clarence  R.  Coon, 
S.  S.  Bettie  Coon, 
Sallie  M.  Costner, 
Katie  B.  Crowell, 
Albert  L,  Gilbert, 
Katie  A.  Gilbert, 
Sallie  E.  Goins, 
Barbara  E.  Grigg, 
Charles  C.  Hauss, 
Silas  O.  Hauss, 
S.  Malinda  Hauss, 
H.  Nannie  Hauss, 
Sarah  Hauss, 
Alary  Hauss, 
John  J.  Heavner, 
Henry  Heavner, 
Fannie  Heavner, 
Lela  Pearl  Heavner, 
Susan  Heavner, 
Barbara  Heavner, 
Ellen  K.  Heavner, 
Elizabeth  E.  Heavner, 
Essie  F.  Heavner, 
John  A,  Hoke, 
Rhoda  E,  Hoke, 
Henry  Hollrooks, 
J.  Frank  Hollrooks, 
Anna  Hollrooks, 
Fannie  Hollrooks. 
Lenoir  E.  Hollrooks, 
Daniel  Holly, 
Mar?us  Holly, 
William  A.   Holly, 
Barbara  Holly, 
Bettie  E.  Holly, 


Lucy  P.  Holly, 
Kate  M.  Holly, 
Charles  F.  Holly, 
Sarah  A,  Ho  vis, 
Amzi  A,  Killian, 
Jas.  P.  Killian, 
Henry  F.  Killian, 
George  W.  Killian. 
John  R.   Killian, 
David  C.  Killian, 
Robert  B.  Killian, 
Barbara  E.  Killian, 
M.  Ella  Killian, 
Mary  Killian, 
James  P.  Kistler, 
Adolphus  M.  Kistler, 
Charles  L.  Kistler, 
Thomas  Kistler, 
Henry  A.  Kistler, 
Mary  R.  Kistler, 
Sarah  Kistler, 
Lillie  C.  Kistler, 
Emma  S.  Kistler, 
Laura  Kistler, 
Adolphus  F.  Leatherman, 
Laura  A.  Leatherman, 
Flora  Leatherman, 
Mattie  L.  Leatherman, 
Sidney  Leatherman, 
A.  Jacob  Leonard, 
Charles  A.  Leonard, 
A,  Pink  Leonard, 
M.  Lizzie  Leonard, 
Jane  Leonard, 
Lethia  Leonard, 
William  H.  Lohr, 
Francis  A.  McCaslin, 
Nancy  Mullen, 
R.    Michal  Petrie, 


44    HISTORY  OF  DANIEL  S  LUT1I.  &  REFORMED  CHURCHES. 


R.  William  Petrie, 
Lewis  W.  Petrie, 
Eliza  C.  Petrie, 
Rosa  Petrie, 
Cephas  Quickel, 
Lee  H.  Quickel, 
S.  Alice  Quickel, 
Bessie  Prue  Quickel, 
Andrew  Reep, 
George  P.  Reep, 
Titus  F.  Reep, 
Philip  A.  Reep, 
Francis  Reep, 
Jacob  H,  Rhodes, 
Daniel  F.  Rhodes, 
William  C,  Rhodes, 
Charles  H.  Rhodes, 
Robert  Rhodes, 
Luther  Rhodes, 
Nancy  C.  Rhodes, 
Barbara  A.  Rhodes, 
David  Rinck, 
Emma  Rinck, 
Daniel  Rcbinson, 
John  A.   Robinson, 
R.  P.  Robinson, 
Catherine  Robinson, 
Anna  Rcbinson, 
Jacob  Sain, 
Oscar  B.  Sain, 
John  W.  Sain, 
M.  Adaline  Sain, 
Emma  Sain, 
Ollie  M.  Sain, 
Andrew  Seagle, 
Elam  Seagle, 
Jacob  A.  Seagle, 
Daniel  A.  Seagle, 
William  M.  Seaele, 


M.  J.  Seagle, 
Henry  L,  Seagle, 
Annie  E.  Seagle, 
Arthur  H.  Seagle, 
Mollie  E.  Seagle, 
Susan  B.  Seagle, 
L.  Mintia  Seagle, 
Florence  Seagle, 
Mary  L.  Seagle, 
John  vSeagle, 
Margaret  L.  Seagle, 
Lucy  E.  Self, 
J.  S.  Shronce, 
Sidney  Shronce, 
Charles  Shronce, 
John  C.  Shronce, 
Mary  E.  Shronce, 
M.  Lucy  Shronce, 
Laura  A.  Shronce, 
Bessie  Shronce, 
George  E.  Shronce, 
Hester  P.  Shronce, 
Anna  Shuford, 
Julius  A.  Smith, 
Daniel  M.  Smith, 
Susan  Smith, 
Ann  C.  Smith, 
Belle  Smith, 
Lillie  B.  Smith, 
Clara  Sullivan, 
Elizabeth  Warliek, 
Lucinda  Weathers, 
George  H.  Willis, 
Adolphus  P.  Willis, 
Minnie  Wilson, 
Absalom  Wise, 
George  P.  Wise, 
Ella  C.  Wise', 
Sarah  Wis^ 


